Our Beginning
The City of Light Spiritualist Church was legally formed in Sept. 2005 by Rev. Patricia Price, Steven Bennett, Ginny Vigrass, Richard Shelley, and Kurt & Kathy Doerflinger to form a Spiritualist Church that would honor the Free Thinkers of the 1800s that came to the Cassadaga area to establish a platform of liberty and freedom. The church’s name was inspired by the 1903 name of the Lily Dale Assembly, when Abby Pettengill, board president of the Cassadaga Lakes Free Association, renamed it “The City of Light”. In the book Proud Beginnings there is a directive from the board stating “… it is intended that LIGHT shall be thrown on all subjects, The City of Light Assembly will be striving to make a paradise where the weary and sorrowing of earth may find comfort, health and happiness.”
Modern Spiritualism gives special attention to children, since the movement was started by Margaret Fox, (15yrs.old) and Catherine Fox, (12yrs. old.) at their home in Hydesville, Wayne County, NY on March 31, 1848. These perceptive children contacted a deceased peddler though “rappings” from the peddler that signaled answers to questions the Fox Sisters asked. The spirit identified himself as the peddler who died in the house in 1843 and the peddlers box and bones were later found in the basement of the house. People who heard this story wanted to know and experience communication with the deceased. Soon after the Fox family moved to Rochester, NY and formed “home circles” to demonstrate spirit communication. In November 1849, the circles had become so popular the girls were invited to Corinthian Hall in Rochester to demonstrate spirit communication. The Fox Sisters proved that mediumship, communication with other dimensions, was not just available to the elite, but was available to all of us.
Modern Spiritualism teaches Natural Law and that communication with the deceased is not extra-ordinary, but ordinary and natural to all who are willing to learn and recognize spirit communication. The movement soon spread across the continent and across the ocean where Spiritualist churches were formed. Spiritualism is a recognized religion and well established in the US, Canada and the UK.
The Spiritualist school for children is called the Lyceum and it is named for the Greek word "lyceum" meaning “grove of trees”. In ancient Greece, students and teachers met out in nature, to learn from her wonder and beauty. Andrew Jackson Davis took this concept and the knowledge he learned through trance, to develop this system of teaching for children. He channeled information from children on the other side of life and how they were learning in the “Summerland” or heaven. Andrew Jackson Davis put his dream of a Lyceum within the Spiritualist movement to the Conference on the 25th of Jan. 1863 at Dodsworth Hall in the UK. He wrote a manual that would give guidelines to the Lyceum leaders enabling them to have a format on how to impart the knowledge. Andrew Jackson Davis had his own religion called Harmonialism, closely associated with Spiritualism in the 1800’s but never a member of a Spiritualist church. At COLSC we have encouraged the Lyceum Program for Children to continue to learn about Spiritualism.
Modern Spiritualism teaches Natural Law and that communication with the deceased is not extra-ordinary, but ordinary and natural to all who are willing to learn and recognize spirit communication. The movement soon spread across the continent and across the ocean where Spiritualist churches were formed. Spiritualism is a recognized religion and well established in the US, Canada and the UK.
The Spiritualist school for children is called the Lyceum and it is named for the Greek word "lyceum" meaning “grove of trees”. In ancient Greece, students and teachers met out in nature, to learn from her wonder and beauty. Andrew Jackson Davis took this concept and the knowledge he learned through trance, to develop this system of teaching for children. He channeled information from children on the other side of life and how they were learning in the “Summerland” or heaven. Andrew Jackson Davis put his dream of a Lyceum within the Spiritualist movement to the Conference on the 25th of Jan. 1863 at Dodsworth Hall in the UK. He wrote a manual that would give guidelines to the Lyceum leaders enabling them to have a format on how to impart the knowledge. Andrew Jackson Davis had his own religion called Harmonialism, closely associated with Spiritualism in the 1800’s but never a member of a Spiritualist church. At COLSC we have encouraged the Lyceum Program for Children to continue to learn about Spiritualism.
The History of Modern Spiritualism
City of Light Spiritualist Church Today
COLSC guides individuals toward their spiritual path as they consult their own Higher Guidance. Lily Dale Assembly Inc. recognizes the City of Light Spiritualist Church as one of the four Spiritualist Churches for the process to join the Lily Dale Assembly. (Being a member of a Spiritualist Church is the first requirement needed to begin process to buy a house in Lily Dale.) For more information contact the Lily Dale Assembly Inc. on requirements (716)595-8721 or visit LilyDaleAssembly.org. We are an Independent, Pet Friendly Spiritualist Church with emphasis on being a spiritual family and allow individuals to belong to other Spiritualist Churches.
COLSC invites remarkable speakers from around the world to share insights from diverse traditions to help us grow spiritually aware of our connection to the world and all that is. We are part of the rotation of Churches during the Lily Dale Season. COLSC believes in natural law, free thinking & personal responsibility. We are a church that practices diversity & values new thought to enrich our Spiritualist base. We offer sincere, spiritual growth for our guests & members. We practice the Sacred Principles of: Mediumship, Healing and Loving Kindness for All Beings honoring Creator & All Creation. We are inclusive & welcome new Members & Pets to our service!
The City of Light Spiritualist Church has developed and maintains the Pet Healing Area and Pet Healing Gazebo in Lily Dale next to the Healing Temple. It gives us much satisfaction to share in the betterment of Lily Dale and promote the importance of pets in our lives. We believe a church is more than just a building, a church is a way of Spiritually serving others in times of need. We look forward to our future together in sharing joy, comfort, learning and healing. We continue to have expenses to serve our congregation and appreciate your love donations.
To become a COLSC Spiritualist Minister please contact Rev. Joanne Copley-Nigro for more details. To be a COLSC Healer you will need to document completion of Spiritualist Church Healing Courses through a Spiritualist Church to serve at the Lily Dale Healing Temple, or other Spiritualist Church.
As the Pastor and President of COLSC I am honored to speak with you to assist you on your spiritual path.
With Love and Many Blessings,
Reverend Joanne Copley-Nigro
COLSC invites remarkable speakers from around the world to share insights from diverse traditions to help us grow spiritually aware of our connection to the world and all that is. We are part of the rotation of Churches during the Lily Dale Season. COLSC believes in natural law, free thinking & personal responsibility. We are a church that practices diversity & values new thought to enrich our Spiritualist base. We offer sincere, spiritual growth for our guests & members. We practice the Sacred Principles of: Mediumship, Healing and Loving Kindness for All Beings honoring Creator & All Creation. We are inclusive & welcome new Members & Pets to our service!
The City of Light Spiritualist Church has developed and maintains the Pet Healing Area and Pet Healing Gazebo in Lily Dale next to the Healing Temple. It gives us much satisfaction to share in the betterment of Lily Dale and promote the importance of pets in our lives. We believe a church is more than just a building, a church is a way of Spiritually serving others in times of need. We look forward to our future together in sharing joy, comfort, learning and healing. We continue to have expenses to serve our congregation and appreciate your love donations.
To become a COLSC Spiritualist Minister please contact Rev. Joanne Copley-Nigro for more details. To be a COLSC Healer you will need to document completion of Spiritualist Church Healing Courses through a Spiritualist Church to serve at the Lily Dale Healing Temple, or other Spiritualist Church.
As the Pastor and President of COLSC I am honored to speak with you to assist you on your spiritual path.
With Love and Many Blessings,
Reverend Joanne Copley-Nigro